The world's ugliest dog contest has been held in California, with monstrous mongrels, foul-looking flea-bags and creased canines queing up to be crowned the most unsightly.

The world loves an underdog, and in this year's unofficial online voting, fan's favorites appeared to be Ellie Mae, an 8-year-old Chinese crested. In second place was Squiggy, a Chinese crested-Japanese Chin mix.

To the average eye, both appear utterly grotesque. However the eventual winner turned out to be Walle, with his duck feet, knobbly legs and barrel body, the hound also sports a long magenta tongue, for added repugnance.

Waddling Walle, a beagle, boxer and basset hound cross

However it was his adorably awful waddle which charmed judges, along with his misshapen body parts. Judge Brian Sobel commented: "This dog looked like he's been photo-shopped with pieces from various dogs and maybe a few other animals."